Ph3 Introduction To The Syllable

Phonetics 3 – Lic. Jordán Masías1

The English Syllable The English Syllable

UBLAPH3

From Chapters 8 & 9 of Roach's English Phonetics & Phonology, & some excerpts from differen online

sources, key word: Syllable

2 Phonetics 3 – Lic. Jordán Masías

What is a syllable?What is a syllable?

The number of beats in a word.The number of beats in a word. Parts of a word that are easy to count & number but difficult to define. Parts of a word that are easy to count & number but difficult to define. Any of the parts into which a word can be divided.Any of the parts into which a word can be divided. A part of a word consisting minimally of a vowel, with or without a A part of a word consisting minimally of a vowel, with or without a

consonant.consonant. A part of a wordA part of a word which consists minimally of a vowel, which is called which consists minimally of a vowel, which is called

centre, with or without consonants at either end. centre, with or without consonants at either end. A part of a wordA part of a word which consists minimally of a vowel, which is called which consists minimally of a vowel, which is called

CENTRE, with or without consonants at the beginning, called ONSET, & CENTRE, with or without consonants at the beginning, called ONSET, & with or without consonants at the end, called CODA.with or without consonants at the end, called CODA.

A syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds that A syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds that are sounded together to make up a word. It is typically composed of a are sounded together to make up a word. It is typically composed of a centre or nucleus (most often a vowel) with optional initial and final centre or nucleus (most often a vowel) with optional initial and final margins (typically, consonants), called onsets and codas respectively.margins (typically, consonants), called onsets and codas respectively.


In other words…

The syllable is the basic unit of speech studied in both the phonetic and phonological levels of analysis.


Consider….

No matter how easy it can be for people and even for children to count the number of syllables in a sequence in their native language, still there are no universally agreed upon phonetic definitions of what a syllable is


Phonetics Phonology

Phonetics Phonetics studies the way in which studies the way in which speech sounds are produced speech sounds are produced ((articulatory phoneticsarticulatory phonetics) and ) and perceived (perceived (auditory phoneticsauditory phonetics).).

Phonetics Phonetics also deals with the also deals with the physical properties of sounds physical properties of sounds ((Acoustic PhoneticsAcoustic Phonetics))

The study of the The study of the sound system of a sound system of a given language and given language and the analysis and the analysis and classification of its classification of its phonemes phonemes

Spoken Language

Phonemes: Phonemes:

(linguistics) one of a small set of speech (linguistics) one of a small set of speech sounds that are distinguished by the speakers sounds that are distinguished by the speakers of a particular language of a particular language


What's the importance of the syllable?What's the importance of the syllable?

A syllable is said to be responsible for A syllable is said to be responsible for the rhytmic nature of English.the rhytmic nature of English.

Syllables are often considered the Syllables are often considered the phonological "building blocks" of words. phonological "building blocks" of words. They can influence the rhythm of a They can influence the rhythm of a language, its prosody, its poetic meter, language, its prosody, its poetic meter, its stress patterns, etcits stress patterns, etc


What's a syllable, phonetically What's a syllable, phonetically speaking?speaking?

It is a sequence of speech sounds, It is a sequence of speech sounds, consisting minimally of a central sound consisting minimally of a central sound which is articulated with little or no which is articulated with little or no obstruction, therefore sounding louder obstruction, therefore sounding louder than any of the optional marginal than any of the optional marginal sounds, which, if present, always have sounds, which, if present, always have some degree of obstruction of the air some degree of obstruction of the air passage, therefore sounding less loud passage, therefore sounding less loud than the centre.than the centre.


Phonetically syllables are usually described as consisting of a centre which has little or no obstruction of the air flow and which sounds comparatively loud; before an after that centre […] there will be greater obstruction to airflow and/or less loud sound.(Roach 2000: 70)


/

In the monosyllable CAT / , the vowel /is the centre at which little obstruction takes place.

We have complete obstruction to the airflow in the sorrounding plosives / and /


What is a syllable, phonologically What is a syllable, phonologically speaking?speaking?

It is a sequence of speech sounds, that consists minimally of a It is a sequence of speech sounds, that consists minimally of a vowel, with optional marginal consonants. vowel, with optional marginal consonants.

The number of marginal consonants in a syllable may range The number of marginal consonants in a syllable may range from none to 3 at the beginning or 4 at the end.from none to 3 at the beginning or 4 at the end.

Words can be named according to the number of syllables they Words can be named according to the number of syllables they contain: monosyllabic, disyllabic, trisyllabic or polysyllabic. contain: monosyllabic, disyllabic, trisyllabic or polysyllabic. Sometimes "polysyllabic" is used to mean words of more than Sometimes "polysyllabic" is used to mean words of more than one syllable.one syllable.

CENTRE OR NUCLEUS is the name given to the VOWEL sound CENTRE OR NUCLEUS is the name given to the VOWEL sound in a syllable, which is obligatory in most languagesin a syllable, which is obligatory in most languages

ONSET is the name given to the consonant sound or sounds at ONSET is the name given to the consonant sound or sounds at the beginning of a syllable. the beginning of a syllable.

CODA is the name given to the consonant sound or sounds at CODA is the name given to the consonant sound or sounds at the end of a syllablethe end of a syllable

Both the onset & the coda are optional in English, but not in all Both the onset & the coda are optional in English, but not in all languages.languages.


Laver (1994: 114) defines the phonological syllable as a “complex unit made up of nuclear and marginal elements”.

Nuclear elements are the vowels or syllabic segments;

Marginal elements are the consonants or non-syllabic segments.


Analyse the word:

P A I N T

Diphthong / /

Nuclear Nuclear elementelement

Initial consonant

/ p /

Marginal Marginal elementelement

Final cluster

/ nt /

Marginal Marginal elementelement


Prominence Theory

Attempts have been made yo provide physiological, acoustic or auditory explanations and definitions of the syllable. According to the Prominence Theory, for example, which is based mainly on auditory judgements, the number of syllables in a word is determined by the number of peaks of prominence.


In the word entertaining /the peaks of prominence are represented by the vowels /. However, this theory does not help much in discussion of syllable division.


Chest Pulse Theory

The chest pulse theory discusses the syllable in the context of muscular activities and lung movements in the process of speech. Experiments have shown that the number of chest pulses, accompanied by increase of air pressure can determine the number of syllables produced (Grimson, 1980: 56), thus allowing to associate the number of syllables with the number of chest pulses.


This approach, however, cannot account for cases when 2 vowels occur one after the other- for example in words like ‘being’ or ‘playing’ .

The second chest pulse might be almost irrelevant and and thus lead to erroneously, to the conclusion that such English words consist of only one syllable.


Sonority Theory

Another approach is presented by sonority theory, Another approach is presented by sonority theory, according to which the according to which the pulses of pulmonic airpulses of pulmonic air, stream , stream in speech, corresponding to in speech, corresponding to peaks in sonoritypeaks in sonority (Giegerich, 1992: 132)(Giegerich, 1992: 132)

The sonority of a speech sound is discussed as its The sonority of a speech sound is discussed as its “relative “relative loudnessloudness”, compared to other sounds (op. ”, compared to other sounds (op. Cit.) and each syllable correspond to a peak in the Cit.) and each syllable correspond to a peak in the flow rate of pulmonic air.flow rate of pulmonic air.


Thus, Thus, nuclearnuclear elements, or elements, or syllabicsyllabic segments segments can be described as intrinsically can be described as intrinsically more more sonoroussonorous than marginal, non-syllabic than marginal, non-syllabic elements.elements.


Speech sounds can be ranked in terms of their Speech sounds can be ranked in terms of their intrinsic sonority according to a sonority scale. The intrinsic sonority according to a sonority scale. The sonority scale is:sonority scale is:

VoicedVoiced segments are more sonorous than segments are more sonorous than voicelessvoiceless ones.ones.

Sonorants Sonorants are more sonorous than are more sonorous than obstruentsobstruents.. Open vowelsOpen vowels being more sonorous than being more sonorous than close close ones.ones.


Hierarchical structure of the syllable .


What are the parts of a syllable?What are the parts of a syllable?

The general structure of a syllable consists of the following segments:The general structure of a syllable consists of the following segments:– Onset (obligatory in some languages, optional or even restricted in others) Onset (obligatory in some languages, optional or even restricted in others) – Rhyme Rhyme

Nucleus (obligatory in all languages) Nucleus (obligatory in all languages) Coda (optional in some languages, highly restricted or prohibited in others) Coda (optional in some languages, highly restricted or prohibited in others)

The syllable nucleus is typically a sonorant, usually a vowel sound, in The syllable nucleus is typically a sonorant, usually a vowel sound, in the form of a monophthong, diphthong, or triphthong, but sometimes the form of a monophthong, diphthong, or triphthong, but sometimes sonorant consonants like [l] or [r]. sonorant consonants like [l] or [r].

The syllable onset is the sound or sounds occurring before the nucleus, The syllable onset is the sound or sounds occurring before the nucleus, and the syllable coda (literally 'tail') is the sound or sounds that follow and the syllable coda (literally 'tail') is the sound or sounds that follow the nucleus. the nucleus.

The term rhyme covers the nucleus plus coda. The term rhyme covers the nucleus plus coda. In the one-syllable English word cat, the nucleus is a, the onset c, the In the one-syllable English word cat, the nucleus is a, the onset c, the

coda t, and the rhyme at. This syllable can be abstracted as a coda t, and the rhyme at. This syllable can be abstracted as a consonant-vowel-consonant syllable, abbreviated CVC, which is the consonant-vowel-consonant syllable, abbreviated CVC, which is the most common combination in English.most common combination in English.


What the parts of a syllable?What the parts of a syllable?

Generally, every syllable requires a nucleus. Generally, every syllable requires a nucleus. Onsets are extremely common, and some languages require all Onsets are extremely common, and some languages require all

syllables to have an onset. (That is, a CVC syllable like cat is possible, syllables to have an onset. (That is, a CVC syllable like cat is possible, but a VC syllable such as at is not.) but a VC syllable such as at is not.)

A coda-less syllable of the form V, CV, CCV, etc. is called an open A coda-less syllable of the form V, CV, CCV, etc. is called an open syllable, while a syllable that has a coda (VC, CVC, CVCC, etc.) is called syllable, while a syllable that has a coda (VC, CVC, CVCC, etc.) is called a closed syllable (or checked syllable). a closed syllable (or checked syllable).

All languages allow open syllables, but some, such as Hawaiian, do not All languages allow open syllables, but some, such as Hawaiian, do not have closed syllables.have closed syllables.

In other languages, including English, a consonant may be analyzed as In other languages, including English, a consonant may be analyzed as acting simultaneously as the coda of one syllable and the onset of the acting simultaneously as the coda of one syllable and the onset of the following syllable, a phenomenon known as ambisyllabicity. Examples following syllable, a phenomenon known as ambisyllabicity. Examples occurring in Received Pronunciation include words such as arrow occurring in Received Pronunciation include words such as arrow ['ærəʊ], error ['erə], mirror ['mɪrə], borrow ['bɒrəʊ], burrow ['bʌrəʊ], ['ærəʊ], error ['erə], mirror ['mɪrə], borrow ['bɒrəʊ], burrow ['bʌrəʊ], which can't be divided into separately pronounceable syllables: neither which can't be divided into separately pronounceable syllables: neither [æ] nor [ær] is a possible independent syllable, and likewise with the [æ] nor [ær] is a possible independent syllable, and likewise with the other short vowels [e ɪ ɒ ʌ].other short vowels [e ɪ ɒ ʌ].


onsetonset peakpeak codacoda

rhymerhyme

syllablesyllable

What the parts of a syllable?What the parts of a syllable?


Syllables & Suprasegmental featuresSyllables & Suprasegmental features

The domain of suprasegmental features is the syllable The domain of suprasegmental features is the syllable and not a specific sound, that is to say, they affect all the and not a specific sound, that is to say, they affect all the segments of a syllable:segments of a syllable:

– Stress Stress – Tone Tone

Sometimes syllable length is also counted as a Sometimes syllable length is also counted as a suprasegmental feature; for example, in most Germanic suprasegmental feature; for example, in most Germanic languages, long vowels may only exist with short languages, long vowels may only exist with short consonants and vice versa. However, syllables can be consonants and vice versa. However, syllables can be analyzed as compositions of long and short phonemes, analyzed as compositions of long and short phonemes, as in Finnish and Japanese, where consonant as in Finnish and Japanese, where consonant germination and vowel length are independent.germination and vowel length are independent.


Syllables and phonotactic constraintsSyllables and phonotactic constraints

Phonotactic rules determine which sounds are allowed or Phonotactic rules determine which sounds are allowed or disallowed in each part of the syllable. English allows very disallowed in each part of the syllable. English allows very complicated syllables; syllables may begin with up to three complicated syllables; syllables may begin with up to three consonants (as in string or splash), and occasionally end with consonants (as in string or splash), and occasionally end with as many as four (as in prompts). as many as four (as in prompts).

Many other languages are much more restricted; Japanese, for Many other languages are much more restricted; Japanese, for example, only allows /n/ and a chroneme in a coda, and has no example, only allows /n/ and a chroneme in a coda, and has no consonant clusters at all, as the onset is composed of at most consonant clusters at all, as the onset is composed of at most one consonant.one consonant.

There are languages that forbid empty onsets, such as Hebrew, There are languages that forbid empty onsets, such as Hebrew, Arabic, and many varieties of German (the names transliterated Arabic, and many varieties of German (the names transliterated as "Israel", "Abraham", "Omar", "Ali" and "Abdullah", among as "Israel", "Abraham", "Omar", "Ali" and "Abdullah", among many others, actually begin with semiconsonantic glides or many others, actually begin with semiconsonantic glides or with glottal or pharyngeal consonants).with glottal or pharyngeal consonants).


SyllabificationSyllabification

Syllabification is the separation of a word into syllables, Syllabification is the separation of a word into syllables, whether spoken or written. In most languages, the whether spoken or written. In most languages, the actually spoken syllables are the basis of syllabification actually spoken syllables are the basis of syllabification in writing too. However, due to the very weak in writing too. However, due to the very weak correspondence between sounds and letters in the correspondence between sounds and letters in the spelling of modern English, for example, written spelling of modern English, for example, written syllabification in English has to be based mostly on syllabification in English has to be based mostly on etymological i.e. morphological instead of phonetic etymological i.e. morphological instead of phonetic principles. English "written" syllables therefore do not principles. English "written" syllables therefore do not correspond to the actually spoken syllables of the living correspond to the actually spoken syllables of the living language.language.

Syllabification also describes the process of a consonant Syllabification also describes the process of a consonant becoming a syllable nucleus.becoming a syllable nucleus.

Ph3 Introduction To The Syllable

Documents

Transcript of Ph3 Introduction To The Syllable